Winter Paralympics

When Kelly Lavoie of East Haven first learned she had primary lateral sclerosis, she was relieved that she finally had a diagnosis for the severe medical problems that had plagued her for years.

But the more she learned about it, the more depressed she became. Primary lateral sclerosis causes weakness in voluntary and involuntary muscles that control the arms, legs, the torso and speech. Compared with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), it progresses slower, and in most cases it isn't fatal.

Lavoie had been an active athlete. After her diagnosis, she didn't want to get out of bed or be with anybody.

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